june days of make

June 20, 2011

:We're forcing ourselves to slow down a bit this week. We're still working on projects everyday but with our big summer trip coming up soon we have a lot of work to get done this week and energy to store up. I'm still fighting a cold that's lasting far too long and I need/want to be 100% for vacation. So today marks the beginning of making lazy...!

June 18, 2011

:My plan was a quiet weekend. Instead we got sleepovers, community festival day, and guests for dinner with a full Father's Day and friend's baptism tomorrow. Scratch the quiet, bring on the crazy chaos! I'll catch up on beauty sleep some other lifetime, right? Still, I managed to fit in plenty of 'makes' today with lots of faces, friendly ones to my nice neighbors who gifted me with a morning frozen coffee and a friend who pushed me to the gym, ugly ones to a husband whose plans were not always my plans. If only I could make absolutely adorable ones like Manu... :]

p.s. absolutley adorable is a reference to a favorite movie of mine as a child. Remember mom how often I would re-enact the crazy new step-mother-to-be from It Takes Two? :)

June 17, 2011

:When I was in fifth grade I taught myself to french braid while practicing long hours during class. To be honest, I figured out how to do the braid inside out first but that was a happy discovery all it's own. From then on, I was hooked. Every time I babysat, a required brush and braid was the first order of the day or night. In highschool, people who sat behind me used to comment about the neat ways I would do my hair, a new do every hour, on myself or a obliging friend. I dreamed of having children, mostly girls, mostly so I could whittle away my days fancifully doing their hair each morning.

Nowadays, if I brush my hair, it's a rare day. And if the girls' hairs gets brushed by me we must be going somewhere special because that's a chore I handed over to them years ago. But now that my hair is finally growing out (husband's orders wishes), I've begun falling in love with hair-doing all over again.

Imagine then my delight after purchasing an e-book found here full of styles and tutorials on doing hair just the way I love it, capitalizing too on my expertise in braiding. The girls who must sit through my frequent recent trials on their own hair? Not so delighted, as shown above. But a surly pout in front makes for a good photo op in back. Thanks, Manu!

June 16, 2011

:Sorry, against precendence I have included two pictures for this one...but seeing the cuteness overload, surely you can forgive me? :)

I've seen these mini tents all over pinterest and wanted one on hand so my kids could experience the magic of resting under one in daylight and cozying up under one once night falls. The way the light filters through and the fabric cloaks and blows about you makes one feel a part of their own fairy tale. This one is super portable and will be making rounds with us this summer at the beach, parks, and our friends' backyard forest next week where thieves roam and damsels are oft in distress. With a pinch of imagination, this tent will transform into a tall tower or dark dungeon at your bidding. Can't wait to see the adventures unfold...!

I loosely followed these super simple instructions here and decorated a sheet from the dollar store with trim marked half off this week at mama's new favorite store. It's a place filled with magical things (buttons, fabric, leather, patterns, oh my!) just waiting to be conjured up with the flick of a wand. Oh, and my fairy godmother marked the entire store 50% off...but only until midnight on Saturday! ;)

June 15, 2011

:We're gearing up for July 4th already, eager after missing it last year to celebrate Canada Day here. The sewing machine I got a few years ago as a birthday gift from friends is finally getting a workout, spitting out festive attire for the whole clan. Eden helped today with little floral accessories and Emmanuelle served as my test dummy for her new dress. While I love living in Canada, nobody does a national holiday like the US of A and I am so excited to be back in red, white, and blue this July!

The timing isn't perfect, though. William and Kate, dear friends from England (you may have seen their much publicized wedding recently) are due to make an apperance in our capital city while we are gone but we do so hope they take us up on our offer of our home for their accommodations while visiting! :)

I had no idea that diying my new hand-me-down would make me feel so wrong all day long! Passing a street vendor in Dallas, I made my husband stop so I could buy him this t-shirt after I saw him eyeing another man's shirt earlier that day at church. He obliged and happily wore it, until he put it in the dryer against orders and shrunk it a few sizes.

We watched Dallas take the series last night and the players weren't the only ones who saw some action. Ladies, diy one of your husband's shirts and wear it during the hockey/football/baseball/tennis/curling game...they'll celebrate all night long with you! ;)

June 12, 2011

June 11, 2011

:Of faith. Into something new. To a fully organic diet like my fanatical niece shown here. Or, off a dock and into the cool river.

That last one is a big part of my summer plans: lazy days spent on the sand with frequent dips to cool off while I collect more age spots amid my youthful freckles.

But my big leap? Back into a exercise regimen that will bestow on me a perfectly beach-worthy body. Full length hotel mirrors and reflective glass at the pool this week re-introduced me to a few of my archenemies that had gone undercover over winter, Saddlebag and Flags of the Underarm Salute. You know, that wiggle that continues to wobble after you are no longer moving your arms? Ug.

When I say regimen, I mean a strict system of discipline governed by a dictator regime, namely me. And when I say discipline, I mostly mean a daily restorative protein smoothie meant to facilitate the growing of big muscles on my underarms and under-arse.

If that doesn't work, I'll probably have to do a little exercise. too. :]

June 09, 2011

This is Elisabeth Grace, born June 5, 2011, timing her arrival just perfect so as to coincide with my trip down to Texas to visit her mommy. Thank you, Elisabeth, for granting me the pleasure of our first introduction and the privilege to spend such sweet moments with your proud sisters and brother!

June 08, 2011

:She is already one who follows in her mother's footsteps. I see so much of my younger self in her, the curiosity to understand her ever developing and enlarging view of the world and the desire to do what is heavenly while always struggling against the natural response of her mortal self. Rapidly maturing into a thoughtful young lady, her mind is always thinking, her lips always ready with a question. Unlike her mother at this age, she is an open book, never attempting to hide anything but boldly asking those tough questions that require well-pondered answers.

We visited a local consignment shop together and scored two new boots: rainboots for the splashing puddles demand and beautiful leather cowboy boots. The cowboy boots needed only a new, comfier insert so they would be ready for the immediate scuffing that comes with carrying a young girl into fresh daily adventures.

Hers is a little soul within my keep, one I love providing for and showering with gifts and affection and one with whom I enjoy many private talks together. Seeing the silouette of her foot on top of mine reminded me of this high calling as her mama, the one that requires me to walk carefully and wisely so that I may lead the little ones that are sure to follow.